Was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on how you think I have this laid out. Planning on putting the reels on the back.
I’m not really planning on doing residential soft washing but I bought one nonetheless and I figured having it on the right side/ curb side would be best. Engine / tank on drivers side so I can start when I get out.
Don’t forget about your plumbing too; I prefer to have everything that gets plumbed on the same side so I’m using minimal floor space. Also, starting the engine probably won’t happen right when you get out of the truck. It’ll be after you hook up your supply hose, tape/bag electronics, blow leaves off, make sure the windows are all shut, etc. And then you’re going to want to start it from the side you’re on, the curbside. Not to mention when you have a line burst, you won’t want to run around the other side of the trailer to shut the engine off
I should move the engine to the opposite side and put the soft wash set up right next to it or behind it?
If I were you, I’d ditch the gate. Run run hoses and softwash off the back, turn the IBC 180 degrees and put your engine and pump on the curbside.
That gate is going to do nothing but get in your way and be slippery
I like that idea for the layout. I also planned to remove the gate but just haven’t gotten around to it.
Maybe I’ll put the soft wash on the curb side rear corner and then the reels next to
Thanks for the advice
Sure thing. I can send you a pic of the way my trailer is laid out, I took the good advice of a bunch of people on here before I built it. Always seems like things are exactly where I need them to be
Good choice on the Largo! I’m loving mine.
Are you doing primarily residential or commercial. If residential I recommend keepings reels curbside. I don’t think the engine placement is as critical because you start it and turn it off. It’s not a big deal to walk around the trailer twice for one job. That’s just me though.
IDK, I think engine placement is pretty important myself. Making sure the exhaust isn’t aimed at buckets or hoses that you’ll forget to move, minimizing the space taken up by plumbing, stuff like that.
I agree with you. I just meant what side of the trailer the engine is on. There are a lot of factors to consider like you mentioned but I personally don’t mind walking around the trailer to start or stop the machine.
Dare I ask about an enclosed trailer setup?
I’d leave the softwash system where it’s at, flip the water and heater positions, build a small platform on left rear of trailer as you face rear, for engine, with engine facing inside of trailer, put gas tank underneath (leave fill where you can easily get to). That way, gas tank same side as truck fill, can run plumbing down that left side. Leaves right side for your reels. See my trailer build 2 video. Easy to get to machine, including for service, exhaust on the outside, etc and it just works. That would leave you a good bit of free space in front which you’ll quickly fill up, cones, pump ups, chemicals, etc
I’ll be focusing on commercial. Also maintaining my own properties and businesses.
Thanks for the input. I’m working on the trailer this week. Been busy closing on another car wash but I’m needing and wanting to finish this project. I’ll update the thread with some new pics.
Still trying to finish this project. It got sidetracked massively due to a divorce.
Was wondering everyone’s thoughts on:
Stacking the real’s on the right rear corner of the trailer? I have three - I figured I’d run 2 for HP hose and 1 for my supply hose.
Location and position of engine / pump? Previously I had it located in the same location but rotated 90* counter clockwise. When I had a positioned that way the outlets from the pump would go direct to the reels. Now I’m gonna have a sharp bend or a 90° to get them over to the reels. Is that a problem?
The plate the motor/pump is mounted on is 1/4” steel. It seems a bit larger than what I really need. Do you think I should do away with the plate and mount the engine / pump directly to the shelf I plan to make to put the gas tank underneath?
Thanks
I’ll give it a shot:
1.)
Yep, do that
2.)
If it’s gotta be back there I’d turn it 180 degrees. That exhaust, even from 2’ away is going to heat those hoses up uncomfortably. Where’s your buffer tank gonna be?
3.)
Nope. 1/4" is decent. My engine is 15hp less than yours and I’m running 5/16 plate steel. Invest a few dollars in some good vibration dampers
I have 3 reels. Do you think I should stack all 3? Figure supply at top, and the HP below?
Buffer tank is directly in front of the burner. It’s a 275 IBC. Do you think if I rotated the engine 90* counter clockwise - pitting the engine road side and the pump close to the reels - would that be a bad position?
Gotcha
Thanks
I’m not a huge fan of 3 stacked reels, but people have done it. I just don’t like the way it looks personally. But yeah, put supply up top since you’ll be pulling the hose off of it anyway.
I don’t like exhaust aiming inwards ever, it’s just a bad idea. Especially with a PW trailer, seems like a bucket or squeegee or something always gets accidentally left in front of it.
Why’d you decide to move the IBC up front? Most of the setups I see on here have the burner up front, and the buffer tank centered over the axles. You need 10% minimum tongue weight, so if you’re carrying an empty IBC you might be underloaded up front because of the weight of the hoses/reels/engine. That 10% is the most important thing to consider in your whole build tbh, otherwise you’re going to cause an accident.
